With an exuberant amount of ways schools and their students try to give back to the environment while learning and growing, Pennsbury School District is among those that have a commitment towards sustainability in the community. 

At William Penn Middle School, a student saw a way to combine education and leadership through building a rain garden in the courtyard of the middle school. Eighth-grader Aleksandra Cheeseman approached the school district with her idea so she could complete her Girl Scout Silver Award Project while providing future generations of students a place for learning and enjoyment. 

Through aid from the school district, Penn State Extension Watershed Steward Program, volunteers, and Pennsylvania American Water, the rain garden started to come to life. 

“Pennsylvania American Water has been one of the greatest partners to work with,” said Gary Sanderson, School Board Director and Sustainability Coordinator. “As they service a portion of the school district, it was important for them to give back through the grant that jumpstarted the garden.” 

Pennsylvania American Water’s Environmental Grant Program covered the costs of soil, composting, floral additions, plants, and more, which allowed the school the freedom to design the garden however they liked.  

Once all plans were set, the real work began with designing, digging, and formation of the rain garden down to the last pebble. 

Part of the garden helps with environmental issues such as flooding, holding back rainwater, and mitigating erosion. The other part allows for outdoor education through classroom projects, observation, and club activities.  

The completion of this project is just the beginning for the school district and its Sustainability Committees, otherwise known as Green Teams. Each Green Team has the duty of promoting sustainability and creating green and healthy spaces like the one at William Penn Middle School. 

Throughout Pennsbury School District, numerous schools have implemented similar gardens, while others have plans to build them. A formal Sustainability Policy was enacted in spring 2022 and a Comprehensive Sustainability Management Plan was put into motion in February 2023. This past school year, schools in the area completed multiple milestones. Other schools have vegetable gardens, community gardens, and pollinator gardens. 

“As everything comes together, we can see a brighter future that matches the district’s vision of sustainability,” said Sanderson. 

No matter the kind of project, the district has plans to make sure a positive impact is left for the next students and the earth. 

Pennsylvania American Water’s water treatment plant is in Lower Makefield Township and serves about 36,000 people. The plant recently underwent a $24 million infrastructure upgrade that boasts the industry’s best technologies like an Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection system and upgrades to chlorine and ammonia gas systems. 

Learn more at Pennsylvania American Water.